Former La Mirada High baseball coach Kim Brooks at a game against Mayfair High in 2013. On Wednesday, Brooks was told he has been relieved of his duties as La Mirada’s baseball coach and athletic director.
staff file photo

More than two months after longtime La Mirada baseball coach and athletic director Kim Brooks was suspended for a profanity-laced tirade in front of student athletes that was recorded and made national headlines, the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District decided that Brooks will not return as coach or athletic director.

Wednesday morning, the district office released a statement saying that the internal investigation on Brooks had been completed and stated it would be taking “appropriate personnel action” but mentioned nothing of Brooks being removed from his positions with La Mirada. Brooks returned the classroom in mid-June.

Wayne Shannon, the assistant superintendent of human resources for the district, returned calls on behalf of District Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez. Shannon declined to provide any details beyond the initial statement and when the “personnel action” would take place.

But a phone call to Brooks revealed that the district informed him at 10 a.m. Wednesday of its decision that he would not return to coach the baseball team or his AD position. The longtime La Mirada figure declined to offer an official reaction to the decision.

“I haven’t had time to think about all this,” said Brooks. “I’m disappointed ... I really don’t know what to think right now.”

The removal also comes 23 days after Brooks addressed the District’s Board of Education about his possible reinstatement during the public hearing portion of the June 30 meeting.

“I made a mistake,” said Brooks during the address. “But I did not physically abuse anyone.”

The baseball team was forced to play amid the controversy and media attention surrounding the program, but still managed to make it the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals, the farthest of any local team. La Mirada players were vocal in support of their head coach.

“I was very shocked and disappointed,” said Blake Wilson, standout pitcher/infielder on the team, on hearing the news. “Coach Brooks is one of the big reasons I am who I am today.”